Unsigned Senior Showcase: Catching Analysis

Monday starts off another week of event analysis, this week it’s the Unsigned Senior Showcase from January 21.. The Unsigned Senior Showcase brought over 100 uncommitted 2018 prospects to The MAX in McCook, IL, showcasing their skill set in front of over 40 college coaches in attendance.

CLICK HERE for complete showcase statistics.

CLICK HERE for showcase roster.

Here’s a look at our top catching prospects.

Top Catching Prospects

1. Connor Bauer, C/INF, Hinsdale Central, 2018
5-foot-11, 175-pound catcher/infielder, athletic frame. One of the better catching defenders at the event, quick bounce out of the crouch, athletic defender, hands play soft. Arm action is short and over the top, carries at 75 mph out of the crouch and across the infield. Pop times ranged 2.04-2.12. Showed actions on the infield as well, 2B/3B type. 7.76 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, balanced setup, slightly open stance, toe tap stride. Solid middle of the field approach, long level path, linde drive contact. 86 mph exit velocity from the tee.

2. Scott Stetz, C, Prairie Ridge, 2018
5-foot-11, 186-pound catcher, strong build. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 74 mph out of the crouch. Pop times ranged 2.26-2.39, solid blocking the baseball. 7.30 runner in the 60. Right-handed hitter, open stance, long stride to even. Middle of the field approach, shows some effort ability to backspin the baseball. Path is short and level, line drive contact. 87 mph exit velocity from the tee.

3. Cole Sizemore, C, Carterville, 2018
6-foot, 170-pound catcher, solid build with strength. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, minimal stride. Bat strength present, takes aggressive swing, short path on uphill plane, gap to gap approach. 84 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action showed short and loose from a high ¾ slot, accurate to the bag at 75 mph. Pop times posted at 2.11-2.19, long levers out of the chute. 7.50 runner in the 60.

Best of the Rest (Listed Alphabetically)

Jeff Hynes, C, Brookfield Academy, 2018
5-foot-11, 180-pound catcher, solid build. Left-handed hitter, slightly open stance, loads hands back, works linear through the baseball. Path is level, gap to gap type hitter, showed bat speed, 88 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, played at 73 mph out of the crouch. Feet worked long out of the chute, 2.21 -2.26 pop times. Ran the 60 at 7.32.

Jeremy Laffoon, C, Crystal Lake Central, 2018
5-foot-10, 165-pound catcher. Right-handed hitter, tall setup, slightly open, narrow stance. Showed bat strength, strong with occasional pop. 83 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 67 mph out of the crouch. Ability to block the baseball, 2.32-2.37 pop times. Ran the 60 at 8.32.

James Matheson, C/RHP, Slinger (WI), 2018
6-foot-1, 195-pound two-way player. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, leg kick stride, average balance with effort. Path has some length, flashed bat strength, 87 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively posted pop times at 2.26-2.47. Arm played at 74 mph out of the crouch. On the mound delivery starts with a forward rocker step, rotational type delivery, works slightly across his body finishing to first base side. Arm action works from a high ¾ slot. Fastball is mostly straight, 76-78 mph. Slider is gradual on 10/4 plane, 70-72 mph. Curveball has feel, 63-65 mph, 11/5 shape.

Griffin McIlwee, C/INF, Waterford (WI), 2018
5-foot-9, 160-pound catcher/infielder. Right-handed hitter, balanced stance, wider setup, long stride. Path has length through contact, 74 mph exit velocity from the tee. Defensively arm action is short and over the top, 68 mph out of the crouch, 71 mph across the infield. Pop times ranged 2.30-2.34. Ran the 60 at 8.80.

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